The political machinations also meant that a change in schedule for the Commission after Thomas de Maiziere, who had been due to address them in his role as Interior Minister, was promoted to Defence Minister.

His elevation followed the resignation of Karl-Theodor zu Guttenberg, who had been forced to quit after allegations that he had plagiarised sources in his PhD thesis, a subject that had dominated the German media for days.

De Maiziere accompanied his successor as Interior Minister, Hans-Peter Friedrich, and Foreign Minister, Guido Westerwelle, to the dinner with Merkel - a high-powered message that the German Government are behind the bid.

"We have every chance, after the summer fairy tale we have with the 2006 World Cup to now have a winter fairy tale," said Merkel.

The Chancellor has always been behind Munich's bid and has also given the necessary Government financial guarantees.

"I think the world would be overjoyed if we got to host the Games," said Merkel.

"We all - the city, the region and the nation - support the bid for the Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games in Munich and Garmisch-Partenkirchen."

Earlier Thursday, a survey conducted by the German news agency Deutsche Presse-Agentur  (dpa) claimed that 73 per cent of Germans welcome Olympic in Munich and officials around the bid also presented figures to the 14-strong IOC team headed by Sweden's Gunilla Lindberg.

Officials also pledged that 65 per cent of the 1.8 million tickets tickets will be in the range of €33 to €140 million (£28/$46-£120/$195), with total ticket income named at €178 million (£153million/$248 million).
 


The IOC team met with opponents, who form the minority, on Tuesday (March 1), but a survey by the YouGov company on behalf of the dpa said that almost three-quarters of Germans want the Games to come here.

The survey, conducted among 1,006 Germans Monday to Wednesday (February 28-March 3), said that 15 per cent oppose Games in the city which hosted the 1972 Summer Olympics, while 12 per cent are undecided.

Support was highest at 76 per cent in the 25-34 age group while 16-24-year-olds had a 73 per cent support rate.

However, 90 per cent of the surveyed reject a special tax to hold the Games and 43 per cent believe that Olympics are not possible without harming the natural environment in some way.

Thomas Bach, the President of the German Olympic Sports Confederation (DOSB) and the vice-president of the IOC, was confident that the changes would not impact negatively on Munich's bid.

"German sport has a fantastic partner in Herr de Maizière," he said.

"He has always been a very constructive advocate.

"Together with him, the German Olympic Sports Confederation has been able to drive forward many important sports issues.

"I am sure that his affinity with sport will continue in his new office.

"As Defence Minister, he will be responsible for the funding of sport in Germany’s Armed Forces.

"I am convinced that he will play an important role in the success of those German athletes.

"The DOSB wishes him all the best for his new challenge.

"I am sure that the good cooperation between the DOSB and the Ministry of the Interior, with designated minister Hans-Peter Friedrich as its head, will continue.

"The best proof is the fact that he will present to the IOC Evaluation Commission on Friday to underline the support and guarantees of the Federal Government for Munich’s bid to host the 2018 Winter Games.

"I am looking forward to the good partnership and collaboration with Hans-Peter Friedrich."

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